As shown in Fig. 4a–f, ATM +/XRCC1 +, DNA-PKcs +/XRCC1 + and ATR +/XRCC1 + tumours have significantly worse ovarian cancer specific survival and progression free survival compared to tumours that are ATM-/XRCC1-, DNA-PKcs-/XRCC1- and ATR-/XRCC1- respectively (ps ≤ 0.001). The gene discussed is ATR; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.